I did not mean the words! They are not so!
Thou dost not know thyself! Hard are the lips
That never know a kiss, and thine were made
With softness of the rose! Though all the streams
Of power on earth poured to thy sovereign sea,
Still wouldst thou want, and empty be the heart
One drop of love would fill!

Sem. You speak
As to a woman!

Khos. Ay, for so thou art!
Be now thyself! Thy peace alone I plead!
I can bear all but thy unhappiness!
For love--true love--forgets itself and makes
But one prayer unto Heaven--prayer for the good
Of the beloved!

Sem. Thou wouldst not share my throne?

Khos. Thy throne?

Sem. Ay, so I said.

Khos. I care not for it,
But since 'tis thine, I could not be a man
Worthy thyself and take a place beneath thee.
I'd be thy husband, and I know thou'rt not
A woman to look down and love!

Sem. O theft
In argument! To make my monarch soul
Speak from thy mouth against me!

Khos. Not against thee!
To beg thee yield to love is but to plead
Thy greater cause! Ah, days will come to thee
When all the maiden in thy heart will rise
And drown the queen's! Thou canst not call me back!
To-morrow is the battle! O, I lied
To say thou wert ambitious and ungentle--

Sem. No, thou didst not! 'Tis true! I am--

Khos. No, no!
I'll prove it is not so! See here--the dove--
That nestles at your breast! Why is it here?

Sem. Because I was a woman once--and dreamed
On foolish, woman things! (Frees bird from her bosom)
Fly! fly!
And as I pluck thee out I pluck away
All thought of mortal love, and stand alone
Beneath Assyria's crown!

Khos. (Gazes at her in despair) Then I'll be gone!

Sem. You've pleaded well, but my domains are broad,
And might give tongue to wilder eloquence
Without love's sweet excuse!

Khos. No more! I go!

(Moves off,